Support structure for vehicle seat

Abstract

To provide a support structure of a seat for vehicle which can suppress the breakage of a link member constituting a lifter mechanism even when a load is applied to a vehicle from the vehicle rear side.SOLUTION: A support structure 10 of a seat 12 for vehicle comprises: a link member 50 which is rotatably supported by a seat cushion frame 16, has an arm part 56 that is provided with a through hole 56A and constitutes a lifter mechanism 40 that lifts / lowers the seat cushion frame 16; a support frame 30 which has a long hole part 32 extending in the substantially vehicle vertical direction; a washer 34 which has a protrusion part 38 that is fixed to an upper edge 32A of the long hole part 32 and a ring part 36 that is integrally formed via a connection part 37 with the protrusion part 38 and is provided with a through hole 36A communicating with the upper edge side of the long hole part 32; and a fastener 60 which has a shaft part 62 that is inserted to the through hole 56A of the arm part 56, the upper edge side of the long hole part 32 and the through hole 36A of the ring part 36 and makes the arm part 56 supported rotatably by the support frame 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a vehicle seat.

Background Art

[0002] A vehicle seat having a lifter mechanism that enables the seat cushion frame to move vertically has been conventionally known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle seat, when the vehicle is rear-ended, the vulnerable part of the link member constituting the lifter mechanism is deformed by the load acting on the occupant, and the position of the seat cushion is moved at least rearward to absorb the impact caused by the collision.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, a structure that absorbs the impact during a rear-end collision of the vehicle by damaging the link member, such as deforming the vulnerable part of the link member constituting the lifter mechanism, is not desirable because it makes the reuse of the link member impossible. That is, there is room for improvement in a structure that can suppress damage to the link member constituting the lifter mechanism in a structure that absorbs the impact (load applied from the rear side of the vehicle) during a rear-end collision of the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain a support structure for a vehicle seat that can suppress damage to the link member constituting the lifter mechanism even when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side of the vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the support structure of the vehicle seat according to claim 1 of the present invention has an arm portion that is rotatably supported by a seat cushion frame and has a through hole, and is a link member that constitutes a lifter mechanism for raising and lowering the seat cushion frame, a support frame having a long hole portion extending substantially in the vehicle vertical direction, an overhanging portion fixed to the upper edge portion of the long hole portion, and a ring portion integrally provided with the overhanging portion via a connecting portion and having a through hole communicating with the upper edge side of the long hole portion, a washer having a shaft portion inserted through the through hole of the arm portion, the upper edge side of the long hole portion, and the through hole of the ring portion, and a fastener for rotatably supporting the arm portion on the support frame.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side of the vehicle, a load acting on the occupant causes a load to be transmitted substantially downward in the vehicle direction to a fastener inserted through the through hole of the arm portion via the seat cushion frame and the arm portion of the link member. Then, a load substantially downward in the vehicle direction is also transmitted to the ring portion of the washer through which the fastener is inserted, but the overhanging portion of the washer is fixed to the upper edge portion of the long hole portion in the support frame. Therefore, a load substantially downward in the vehicle direction is transmitted to the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is deformed or broken so as to elongate. As a result, the fastener can move substantially downward along the long hole portion of the support frame, so that the input load can be absorbed while reducing damage to the arm portion of the link member. Thus, according to the present invention, even when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side of the vehicle, damage to the link member constituting the lifter mechanism is suppressed.

[0008] The support structure of the vehicle seat according to claim 2 is the support structure of the vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is a fragile portion having a lower strength than the ring portion.

[0009] According to the invention described in claim 2, the connecting portion is a fragile portion having a lower strength than the ring portion. Therefore, when a load substantially downward in the vehicle direction is transmitted to the connecting portion, the connecting portion is efficiently deformed or broken.

[0010] Further, the support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 3 is the support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a side of the ring portion opposite to the connecting portion is formed wider than the connecting portion side.

[0011] According to the invention described in claim 3, a side of the ring portion opposite to the connecting portion is formed wider than the connecting portion side. That is, the strength of the side of the ring portion opposite to the connecting portion is made higher than that of the connecting portion side. Therefore, even when a load directed substantially downward of the vehicle is transmitted to the ring portion of the washer via the fastener, breakage of the ring portion is suppressed or prevented. Thereby, the connecting portion of the washer is efficiently deformed or broken.

[0012] Further, the support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 4 is the support structure for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastener is fixed to the ring portion.

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 4, the fastener is fixed to the ring portion of the washer. Therefore, compared with the case where the fastener is not fixed to the ring portion of the washer, a load directed substantially downward of the vehicle is efficiently transmitted from the fastener to the ring portion of the washer.

[0014] Further, the support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 5 is the support structure for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the width of the long hole portion is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion as going substantially downward of the vehicle.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 5, the width of the long hole portion in the support frame is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion of the fastener as it goes substantially downward in the vehicle. Therefore, compared with the case where the width of the long hole portion in the support frame is constant, the rapid movement of the fastener toward the substantially lower side of the vehicle is alleviated. Further, since the shaft portion of the fastener moves substantially downward while deforming the peripheral edge portion of the long hole portion in the support frame so as to widen the width of the long hole portion, the support frame improves the absorption efficiency of the input load.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] As described above, according to the present invention, even when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side of the vehicle, breakage of the link member constituting the lifter mechanism of the vehicle seat can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For convenience of explanation, in each figure, an arrow UP appropriately shown is the upward direction of the vehicle seat, an arrow FR is the forward direction of the vehicle seat, and an arrow LH is the leftward direction of the vehicle seat. And in the following description, when the directions of up and down, front and back, and left and right are described without special mention, it shall indicate up and down in the up and down direction of the vehicle seat, front and back in the front and back direction of the vehicle seat, and left and right in the left and right direction of the vehicle seat.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle seat 12 provided with a support structure 10 according to the present embodiment includes a seat cushion 14 that supports the buttocks and thighs of an occupant (not shown), a seat back 18 that supports the back of the occupant, and a headrest (not shown) that supports the head of the occupant. Inside the seat cushion 14, a pair of left and right seat cushion frames 16 are arranged.

[0020] The vehicle seat 12 is attached to a pair of left and right seat support devices 22 fixed to the floor (floor surface) 20 of the vehicle compartment. The seat support device 22 has a pair of front and rear supports 24 fixed to the floor 20, a lower rail 26 extending in the front-rear direction and fixed to each support 24, and an upper rail 28 slidably supported by the lower rail 26.

[0021] The seat support device 22 has a slide lever (not shown) that releases the slide lock mechanism of the upper rail 28 with respect to the lower rail 26 in order to adjust the position of the vehicle seat 12 in the front-rear direction. The seat support device 22 also has a support frame 30 fixed to the upper rail 28, and the seat cushion frame 16 is connected to the support frame 30 via a lifter mechanism 40 described later.

[0022] The lifter mechanism 40 is a mechanism that enables adjustment of the height of the seat cushion 14 (seat cushion frame 16). It is configured to be able to move the seat cushion frame 16 in the vertical direction (up and down) with respect to the seat support device 22 attached to the floor 20 of the passenger compartment. The lifter mechanisms 40 are provided in a pair, one on each side of the vehicle seat 12. Here, the lifter mechanism 40 on one side (the right side shown in FIG. 1) will be mainly taken as an example for explanation.

[0023] The lifter mechanism 40 includes a flat plate-shaped front link member 42 provided at the front portion of the seat cushion frame 16, a flat plate-shaped rear link member 50 as a link member provided at the rear portion of the seat cushion frame 16, and a pinion gear 48 rotatably supported on one (right side) side portion of the seat cushion frame 16.

[0024] The front link members 42 are formed in the same shape on the left and right. One end (upper end) of the front link member 42 is rotatably supported at the front portion of the seat cushion frame 16 by a rotation shaft 44, and the other end (lower end) of the front link member 42 is rotatably supported at the front portion of the support frame 30 by a rotation shaft 46.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the rear link member 50 has a substantially fan-shaped main body portion 52, and gear teeth 58 that mesh with the pinion gear 48 are formed at the front end portion of the main body portion 52 on the side (right side) where the pinion gear 48 is provided and that is arc-shaped. That is, gear teeth are not formed at the front end portion of the main body portion of the rear link member (not shown) on the side (left side) where the pinion gear 48 is not provided.

[0026] Further, a circular through-hole 52B (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is formed at the rear end portion of the main body portion 52, and the rotation shaft 54 is inserted through and attached to the through-hole 52B and a through-hole (not shown) formed at the rear portion of the seat cushion frame 16, whereby the main body portion 52 is rotatably supported at the rear portion of the seat cushion frame 16.

[0027] Also, an arcuate long hole portion 52A is formed at a substantially central portion of the main body portion 52, and a columnar guide pin 16A (see FIG. 1) protruding from the seat cushion frame 16 is inserted into the long hole portion 52A. The rotation range of the main body portion 52 about the rotation shaft 54 is restricted by this guide pin 16A.

[0028] An arm portion 56 extending downward and forward of the gear teeth 58 is integrally formed at the lower portion of the main body portion 52 of the rear link member 50. And the tip end portion (lower end portion) of the arm portion 56 is rotatably supported by the support frame 30. Specifically described, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a circular through-hole 56A is formed at the tip end portion of the arm portion 56.

[0029] On the other hand, a long hole portion 32 extending substantially in the vertical direction (more specifically, slightly downward and forward) is formed at the rear portion of the support frame 30. And a washer 34 is provided on the support frame 30. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the washer 34 has a ring portion 36 having a through-hole 36A through which the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 is inserted, and an overhanging portion 38 integrally protruding in the front-rear direction from the ring portion 36 via a connecting portion 37.

[0030] That is, this washer 34 is formed so as to have a substantially "T" shape with a connecting portion 37 and an overhanging portion 38. And the overhanging portion 38 is fixed to the upper edge portion (the upper part in the peripheral portion) 32A of the long hole portion 32 by welding or the like. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the welding region is indicated by a virtual line K. Thereby, the ring portion 36 of the washer 34 is held so as to be located on the upper edge side of the long hole portion 32, and a configuration is formed in which the through hole 36A of the ring portion 36, the upper edge side of the long hole portion 32, and the through hole 56A of the arm portion 56 communicate with each other.

[0031] And the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 is inserted into the communicated through holes 56A, the long hole portion 32, and the through hole 36A and fitted to the nut portion 64. Thereby, the arm portion 56 is configured to be rotatably supported at the rear part and the upper part of the support frame 30. Note that the connecting portion 37 of the washer 34 is a vulnerable portion having a lower strength than the ring portion 36. That is, for example, the plate thickness of the connecting portion 37 is formed thinner than the plate thickness of the ring portion 36.

[0032] Also, the portion of the ring portion 36 on the side opposite to the connecting portion 37 is formed wider than the portion on the connecting portion 37 side. That is, the lower side of the ring portion 36 is a wide portion 36B. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, after the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 is fitted, the nut portion 64 is fixed to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34 by arc welding or the like.

[0033] In the lifter mechanism 40 having the above-described configuration, when an occupant operates a lifter lever (not shown), a motor (not shown) provided inside the seat cushion frame 16 in the left-right direction is driven, and the pinion gear 48 is configured to be switched and rotated in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction shown in the figure. That is, by operating the lifter lever, the vertical position of the seat cushion frame 16 can be adjusted.

[0034] Specifically, when the pinion gear 48 rotates in the clockwise direction as shown in the figure, due to the engagement of the gear teeth 58 with the pinion gear 48, the main body 52 rotates upward about the rotation axis 54, causing the seat cushion frame 16 to descend. And when the pinion gear 48 rotates in the counterclockwise direction as shown in the figure, due to the engagement of the gear teeth 58 with the pinion gear 48, the main body 52 rotates downward about the rotation axis 54, causing the seat cushion frame 16 to ascend.

[0035] Next, the operation of the support structure 10 of the vehicle seat 12 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

[0036] When a vehicle equipped with the support structure 10 of the vehicle seat 12 undergoes a rear collision (when a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side), a load (collision load) acting on the occupant causes a load to be transmitted to the fastener 60 through the seat cushion frame 16 and the arm portion 56 of the rear link member 50, with the shaft portion 62 inserted into the through hole 56A of the arm portion 56, and the load is transmitted substantially downward (specifically, slightly forward and downward).

[0037] Then, a load substantially downward is also transmitted to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34, which is located on the upper edge side of the long hole portion 32 and through which the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 is inserted. Here, the overhanging portion 38 of the washer 34 is fixed to the upper edge portion 32A of the long hole portion 32 in the support frame 30. Therefore, when a load substantially downward is transmitted to the ring portion 36, a load substantially downward is transmitted to the connecting portion 37, and the connecting portion 37 deforms to elongate or breaks as shown in FIG. 5.

[0038] As a result, the fastener 60 (shaft portion 62) can move substantially downward along the long hole portion 32 of the support frame 30 (guided by the long hole portion 32). Due to this movement, while the load applied to the arm portion 56 of the rear link member 50 is reduced, in other words, while the breakage of the arm portion 56 of the rear link member 50 is reduced, the input load is absorbed.

[0039] Thus, according to the support structure 10 of the vehicle seat 12 according to this embodiment, even if the vehicle is rear-ended (even if a load is applied to the vehicle from the rear side), breakage of the rear link member 50 constituting the lifter mechanism 40 can be suppressed or prevented.

[0040] Also, in the washer 34, the connecting portion 37 is a fragile portion having a lower strength than the ring portion 36. Therefore, when a load directed substantially downward is transmitted to the connecting portion 37, the connecting portion 37 can be efficiently deformed so as to extend, and further can be efficiently broken.

[0041] Also, the portion of the ring portion 36 opposite to the connecting portion 37 is a widened portion 36B formed wider than the portion on the connecting portion 37 side. That is, the strength of the portion of the ring portion 36 opposite to the connecting portion 37 is made higher than the strength of the connecting portion 37 side. Therefore, even if a load directed substantially downward is transmitted to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34 via the fastener 60, breakage of the ring portion 36 can be suppressed or prevented. Thereby, the connecting portion 37 can be efficiently deformed so as to extend, and further can be efficiently broken.

[0042] Also, the nut portion 64 of the fastener 60 is fixed to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34. Therefore, compared with the case where the nut portion 64 of the fastener 60 is not fixed to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34, a load directed substantially downward from the fastener 60 (shaft portion 62) to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34 is efficiently transmitted.

[0043] Note that the means for fixing the nut portion 64 of the fastener 60 to the ring portion 36 of the washer 34 is not limited to the arc welding shown in FIG. 6, and may be, for example, projection welding as shown in FIG. 7.

[0044] Further, the long hole portion 32 formed in the support frame 30 may have a shape as shown in FIG. 8. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the width of the long hole portion 32 (the length in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the long hole in side view) may be formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 as it goes substantially downward.

[0045] According to this, compared with the case where the width of the long hole portion 32 is constant, it is possible to mitigate the rapid movement of the fastener 60 to the substantially lower side. Further, since the shaft portion 62 of the fastener 60 moves substantially downward while deforming the peripheral edge portion of the long hole portion 32 in the support frame 30 so as to widen the width of the long hole portion 32, the support frame 30 can improve the absorption efficiency of the input load.

[0046] That is, following the first-stage energy absorption due to the deformation or breakage of the connecting portion 37 of the washer 34, the second-stage energy absorption due to the deformation of the peripheral edge portion of the long hole portion 32 is performed. Therefore, compared with the case where only the first-stage energy absorption due to the deformation or breakage of the connecting portion 37 of the washer 34 occurs, more of the input load can be absorbed.

[0047] As described above, the support structure 10 of the vehicle seat 12 according to the present embodiment has been described with reference to the drawings. However, the support structure 10 of the vehicle seat 12 according to the present embodiment is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and can be appropriately designed and changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the connecting portion 37 may be a fragile portion having a lower strength than the ring portion 36, and although not shown, it may be formed in an elongated flat plate shape such as the overhanging portion 38.

[0048] Further, if the connecting portion 37 is configured to be deformable or breakable by the input of a collision load during a rear collision of the vehicle, it is not necessary to actively form a fragile portion in the connecting portion 37. Furthermore, if the strength of the ring portion 36 is sufficiently ensured, the portion of the ring portion 36 on the side opposite to the connecting portion 37 does not have to be formed wider than the portion on the connecting portion 37 side.

[0049] In addition, the means for fixing the nut portion 64 of the fastener 60 to the ring portion 36 is not limited to welding, and may be, for example, an adhesive or the like. Further, when the nut portion 64 is configured to be difficult to come off even when a collision load is input due to a rear collision of the vehicle, the nut portion 64 may not be fixed to the ring portion 36.

Explanation of Signs

[0050] 10 Support structure 12 Vehicle seat 16 Seat cushion frame 30 Support frame 32 Long hole portion 32A Upper edge portion 34 Washer 36 Ring portion 36A Through hole 37 Connecting portion 38 Overhanging portion 40 Lifter mechanism 50 Rear link member (link member) 56 Arm portion 56A Through hole 60 Fastener 62 Shaft portion

Claims

1. A link member that is rotatably supported by a seat cushion frame and has an arm portion formed with a through hole, and constitutes a lifter mechanism for raising and lowering the seat cushion frame; A support frame having a long hole portion extending substantially in the vehicle up-and-down direction; A washer having an overhanging portion fixed to the upper edge portion of the long hole portion, and a ring portion integrally provided via a connecting portion and formed with a through hole communicating with the upper edge side of the long hole portion; A fastener having a shaft portion inserted through the through hole of the arm portion, the upper edge side of the long hole portion, and the through hole of the ring portion, and rotatably supporting the arm portion on the support frame; A support structure for a vehicle seat comprising the above.

2. The support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is a fragile portion having a lower strength than the ring portion.

3. The support structure for a vehicle seat according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the side of the ring portion opposite to the connecting portion is formed wider than the connecting portion side.

4. The support structure for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fastener is fixed to the ring portion.

5. The support structure for a vehicle seat according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the width of the long hole portion is formed to be smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft portion as going substantially in the vehicle downward direction.

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